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In response to a request from the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union, worker exposure to diesel exhaust at the Empire Distributors, Inc. (SIC-4215) warehouse in Atlanta, Georgia was investigated. Empire Distributors was a wholesale beverage distributor, employing about 40 warehouse workers and 33 truck drivers. All 32 delivery trucks were being replaced with newer models which emitted much less visible emissions than did the older models. The employees were experiencing transient eye and throat irritation. Environmental sampling was conducted to determine employee exposure to elemental carbon as an index of diesel emission concentrations. The highest elemental carbon concentrations detected were for the drivers of trucks and from the check out operator. Carbon-monoxide (630080) levels were well below established exposure criteria. Particle concentrations during the morning truck start up activities were five times higher than concentrations during the night shift. The author concludes that there was a potential for elevated levels of nitrogen-dioxide (10102440) during the morning start up activities, especially during winter months. The author recommends that efforts be made to reduce exposure to diesel emissions.